Pio Esposito's Double at San Siro Hands Zidane His First Loss as France Coach, and Kane's Record Night Sends England Through

Zinedine Zidane has won almost everything the game has to offer, as a player and as a coach. On Thursday night in Milan, he learned what it feels like to lose as the man in charge of France. Italy came from behind to beat Les Bleus 3-1 at San Siro in the UEFA Nations League, with young striker Pio Esposito scoring twice to hand Zidane his first defeat since he took over the national team ^[1][2].

ESPN called it a historic win for the Italians, who fell behind before answering with three unanswered goals in front of their home crowd ^[1][2]. For a proud soccer nation that has endured hard years on the international stage, the win was a statement that the Azzurri are building something again.

Esposito Steals the Show

Esposito, one of the brightest young forwards in Italian soccer, was the difference. His brace turned the match after France had struck first, and Italy never gave the lead back ^[1][2]. Beating France in a competitive match is never routine for the Azzurri, which is why the result landed with such force at home.

For France, the night was a reality check. Zidane was named head coach after the 2026 World Cup, succeeding Didier Deschamps and taking charge of one of the deepest talent pools in the world ^[4]. He had not lost a match until Thursday, and the defeat ended that unbeaten start ^[1].

Zidane did not make excuses. Speaking after the match, he described the defeat as "part of the process" for a team he is still shaping, according to Agence France-Presse ^[3]. It was the kind of measured answer that has made him one of the most respected figures in the sport: a coach treating a setback as a step in a longer journey ^[3].

There is something worth admiring in that. Zidane's playing career included a World Cup title in 1998 and a famous red card in the 2006 final against this same Italian opponent. As a coach, he led Real Madrid to three straight Champions League crowns. A man with that resume could have bristled. Instead, he spoke like a teacher who knows that a team grows more from a loss than from an easy win.

Kane Makes History at Wembley

Across Europe, England had a night to remember of its own. Harry Kane scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Croatia at Wembley Stadium, and he did it on his record 126th appearance for his country ^[5][6]. The captain became England's all-time leader in caps, passing the mark of 125 long held by goalkeeper Peter Shilton, and his goal sent the Three Lions into the Nations League quarter-finals ^[5].

It was a fitting way to celebrate a milestone. Kane is already England's all-time leading scorer, and his consistency over more than a decade has made him the steady heart of a team that has reached the late stages of major tournaments again and again. Sky Sports described the night as one in which he both broke the appearance record and sealed the result himself ^[5].

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Croatia, the side that broke English hearts in the 2018 World Cup semifinal, managed only one goal on the night ^[6]. For England fans, beating that particular opponent on a night devoted to their captain made the win sweeter.

Why Nights Like This Matter

International soccer can feel distant to American sports fans, but nights like Thursday's show why the world game holds such a grip on hundreds of millions of people. A national team carries the pride of a country. Fans in Milan were not just cheering a result. They were celebrating a young striker wearing the blue shirt and beating a rival their grandparents also measured themselves against.

The same goes for the English supporters who stood to applaud Kane. Loyalty, longevity and leadership are virtues that never go out of style, and the captain's record is a monument to all three. He has shown up for his country through coaching changes, painful tournament exits and the grind of club seasons, and on Thursday the country showed up for him ^[6].

For France, the question is how quickly Zidane's side responds. The loss leaves Les Bleus with work to do in their Nations League group, and a coach who has always demanded the most from himself will expect an answer.

Italy, meanwhile, will ride a wave of confidence built on a young scorer who looks ready for the biggest stages ^[1]. And England can plan for the knockout rounds knowing its captain is still writing his story ^[5].

For Zidane, the first loss is behind him. History suggests he will not let it define what comes next.